Creativity and physical fitness in primary school-aged children.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between creativity and physical fitness in elementary school children. METHOD: Data were collected from 308 primary school students in southern Spain, ranging in age from 8 to 12 years (mean, 9.72 ± 1.25 years). They completed a fitness test battery, and the Prueba de Imaginación Creativa para Niños (PIC-N; Creative Imagination Test for Children) to analyze creativity. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between the sexes. Boys had better physical fitness but there were no sex differences in creativity. On clusters analysis, the highly creative groups had better physical fitness. Creativity was correlated with physical fitness. Aerobic capacity was a predictor of creativity. CONCLUSION: There is an association between creativity and physical fitness in primary school children that may have important implications for academic achievement.

Foot strike pattern in children during shod-unshod running.

The purpose of this study was to determine the foot strike patterns (FSPs) and neutral support (no INV/EVE and no foot rotation) in children, as well as to determine the influence of shod/unshod conditions and sex. A total of 713 children, aged 6 to 16 years, participated in this study (Age=10.28±2.71years, body mass index [BMI]=19.70±3.91kg/m2, 302 girls and 411 boys). A sagittal and frontal-plane video (240Hz) was recorded using a high-speed camcorder, to record the following variables: rearfoot strike (RFS), midfoot strike (MFS), forefoot strike (FFS), inversion/eversion (INV/EVE) and foot rotation on initial contact. RFS prevalence was similar between boys and girls in both shod and unshod conditions. In the unshod condition there was a significant reduction (p<0.001) of RFS prevalence both in boys (shod condition=83.95% vs. 62.65% unshod condition) and in girls (shod condition=87.85% vs. 62.70% unshod condition). No significant differences were found in INV/EVE and foot rotation between sex groups. In the unshod condition there was a significant increase (p<0.001) of neutral support (no INV/EVE) both in boys (shod condition=12.55% vs. 22.22% unshod condition) and in girls (shod condition=17.9% vs. 28.15% unshod condition). In addition, in the unshod condition there is a significant reduction (p<0.001) of neutral support (no foot rotation) both in boys (shod condition=21.55% vs. 11.10% unshod condition) and in girls (shod condition=21.05% vs. 11.95% unshod condition). In children, RFS prevalence is lower than adult's population. Additionally, barefoot running reduced the prevalence of RFS and INV/EVE, however increased foot rotation.

Psychosocial characteristics in children with asthma regarding physical activity / Caracterização psicosocial da criança asmática em relação à atividade física / Caracterización psicosocial del niño asmático con relación a la actividad física

ABSTRACT Introduction Children who are more active enjoy sports, have confidence in their ability to engage in physical activity, feel competent and perceive fewer barriers to physical activity. Objective Psychosocially characterize the asthmatic child's relationship with enjoyable physical activity, physical self-concept, health and perceived quality of life. Method Eighty asthmatic children (age = 11.33 ± 1.10 years, body mass index [BMI] = 20.52 ± 3.83 kg/m2) and 80 healthy children (age = 11.18 ± 1.00 years, BMI = 20.81 ± 4.24 kg/m2) participated in the study. The Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES), Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C), the Physical Self-concept Questionnaire (CAF) and the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) were used. Results In the PACES questionnaire, healthy children had a better level of general physical activity while in the CAF questionnaire, significant differences were found in ability, physical fitness and general self-concept, which were higher in healthy children. There is a significant correlation between the PAQ-C and ability, general physical self-concept, PACES and total PAQLQ in asthmatic children. Conclusion Asthmatic children had lower levels of physical activity, physical self-concept and enjoyment in physical activity than healthy children. Level of evidence II; Retrospective study.

RESUMO Introdução As crianças mais ativas gostam de esportes, confiam em sua capacidade de realizar atividades físicas, sentem-se competentes e percebem menos barreiras à atividade física. Objetivo Caracterizar psicossocialmente a relação da criança asmática com prática prazerosa de atividade física, autoconceito físico, saúde e qualidade de vida percebida. Método Participaram 80 crianças asmáticas (idade = 11,33 ± 1,10 anos, com índice de massa corporal − IMC = 20,52 ± 3.83 kg/m2), e 80 crianças saudáveis (idade = 11,18 ± 1, 00 anos, IMC = 20,81 ± 4,24 kg/m2). Utilizaram-se a Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES), o Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C), o Questionário de Autoconceito Físico (CAF) e o Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ). Resultados Com relação ao PACES, as crianças saudáveis apresentaram melhor nível de atividade física geral. No CAF, encontraram-se diferenças significativas na habilidade, condição física e autoconceito geral, sendo estes maiores nas crianças saudáveis. Houve correlação significativa entre PAC-C e habilidade, autoconceito físico geral, PACES e PAQLQ total em crianças asmáticas. Conclusão As crianças asmáticas apresentam níveis de atividade física, autoconceito físico e prazer na prática da atividade física inferiores em relação às saudáveis. Nível de evidência: II; Estudo retrospectivo.

RESUMEN Introducción A los niños más activos les gustan los deportes, confían en su capacidad de realizar actividades físicas, se sienten competentes y perciben menos barreras para la actividad física. Objetivo Caracterizar psicosocialmente la relación del niño asmático con la práctica placentera de actividad física, autoconcepto físico, salud y calidad de vida percibida. Método Participaron 80 niños asmáticos (edad = 11,33 ± 1,10 años, con índice de masa corporal − IMC = 20,52 ± 3,83 kg/m2), y 80 niños saludables (edad = 11,18 ± 1,00 años, IMC = 20,81 ± 4,24 kg/m2). Se usaron la Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES), el Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C), el Cuestionario de Autoconcepto Físico (CAF) y el Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ). Resultados Con relación al PACES, los niños saludables presentaron mejor nivel de actividad física general. En el CAF, se encontraron diferencias significativas en la habilidad, condición física y autoconcepto general, siendo éstos mayores en los niños saludables. Hubo correlación significativa entre PAQ-C y habilidad, autoconcepto físico general, PACES y PAQLQ total en niños asmáticos. Conclusión Los niños asmáticos presentan niveles inferiores de actividad física, autoconcepto físico y placer en la práctica de la actividad física con relación a los saludables. Nivel de evidencia: II; Estudio retrospectivo.